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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party

Street parties are simple to organise. This guidance sets out what you need to think about and busts the myths about what’s needed.

What sort of events does this guidance apply to?

This is about the sort of street parties that groups of residents get together to arrange for their neighbours.

The main differences between a small street party and other public events are listed below.

Street parties

Other public events

Only for residents/neighbours

Anyone can attend

Publicity only for residents

External publicity (such as in newspapers)

In a quiet residential road or street

In buildings, parks etc

Self-organised

Professional/skilled organisers

Normally no insurance

Insurance needed

No formal risk assessment needed

Risk assessment common

No licences normally necessary unless the sale of alcohol is involved

Licence usually needed

How to organise a street party

Organising a street party just for residents and neighbours is very simple and does not need a licence. Use the application form to apply to your council, which in most cases will be the district or borough. This should provide all the information they need. You can find your council by entering your postcode at find your local council.

The number one tip for holding a party is to plan early, share jobs out amongst residents and get in touch with your council at least 4-6 weeks in advance. A good first point of contact will be your council’s highways, events or communities team. If you encounter any difficulties speak to your local councillor who will be happy to help.

You should not need a risk assessment – as long as consideration is given to the needs of all those attending, common sense precautions should be enough.

Myth 2: You need a licence

The Licensing Act 2003 does not require a music licence at a street party unless amplified music is one of the main purposes of the event.

However, if you plan to sell alcohol you will need to check whether you need a Temporary Events Notice. This is a temporary permission for licensable activities which currently costs £21 and covers events of fewer than 500 people, including anyone helping to run the event.

For more information or to make an application, please contact your local licensing authority by entering your postcode at Temporary Events Notice.

Myth 3: The law requires complex forms for a road closure and councils need to sign off every detail

For most small parties in quiet streets, all your council needs to know is where and when the closure will take place so they can plan around it (for example, so emergency services know). They will need a few weeks’ advance notice as they will need to put in place a traffic regulation order.

If councils really need more information they will contact organisers, but they are expected to take a ‘light touch’ approach. If your council asks for excessive information, you should challenge them.

Alternatively you can organise a gathering or ‘Street Meet’ on private land, such as a driveway or front garden, without any requirement to fill in council forms. Residents should speak to their council about plans. The Street Party site has some excellent guidance on how to hold a Street Meet.

Myth 4: The law requires a fee to be charged for a road closure

The Department for Transport has scrapped guidance that led some councils to over-complicate the process and to charge people wanting to close their road. If your council is making a charge, you have every right to question what those charges are for.

Myth 5: It’s too late to ask for a road closure

Some councils have set deadlines to help them manage their work. But there are no deadlines in law, so if they seem unreasonable ask your council to be flexible. If you can’t or don’t want to close your road, you could plan a simpler Street Meet (see Myth 3 above).

Myth 6: You need to buy expensive road signs

Some local councils will lend you signs and cones, or you can hire or buy signs. The Street Party site gives advice on road closures.

Myth 7: You need expensive insurance

There is no requirement from central government to have public liability insurance. Many councils do not insist on it so you should challenge those who do.

But if you think insurance would be a good idea, have a look at the advice on the Street Party site and The Big Lunch website and shop around. Quotes for insurance start from around £50, which can be split between people attending, or you could ask for donations to cover the costs.

Myth 8: You need a food licence

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that one-off events such as street parties aren’t usually considered food businesses, so there are no forms to fill in. However, you must ensure that any food provided is safe to eat.

Myth 9: You need a licence to run a raffle or lottery

You do not have to register a lottery (which includes raffles, sweepstakes and tombolas) if you are running an ‘incidental lottery’, but tickets must be sold at the event, and prizes cannot be rolled over from one event to another.

Anyone at the event (including children) can take part in this sort of lottery. No more than £100 can be deducted from the proceeds of the lottery to cover the expenses incurred in organising the lottery (e.g. ticket printing), and no more than £500 can be spent on prizes (not including donated prizes).

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